A Fisherman's Story

A Study in the Gospel of John John 13:31-14:31   by Samuel E. Ward   March 25, 2012   Introduction:  Review   Part One:  "The Beginning of the Fisherman's Story",  John 1:1-18 Part Two:  "The Telling of the Fisherman's Story", John 1:18-12:50 Part Three:  "The Climactic Events of the Fisherman's Story", John 13:1-20:31   I. The Final Meal John,13:1-17:26   A. The Lesson of Servanthood, 13:1-20 B. The Prediction of the Betrayal, 13:21-30   John directs his story now to a reporting of . . .   C. The Farewell Address to the Disciples (Upper Room), 13:31   As Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure we might wonder how He could set His own impending suffering aside and concentrate on preparing His disciples for His departure.  Though He will agonize over the suffering He is about to endure, ultimately He is able to bear it because of its glorious outcome.    (Heb 12:2 NIV)  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   When Christ begins His address to the disciples, He did not approach it from the aspect of its humiliation of the Son of God in dying as a criminal on the cross.  Rather He spoke of the glory which would ultimately triumph when He returns to Heavenly Father.  It will only be a matter of days when the taunt can be made to Death recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.    (1 Cor 15:54-57 NIV)  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." {55} "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" {56} The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.   1. The time of Christ's glory has come, John 13:31-33.   (John 13:31-33 NIV)  When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. {32} If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. {33} "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.   2. The law of love is given, John 13:34-35.   (John 13:34-35 NIV)  "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. {35} By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."   3. The issue of Christ's departure is discussed, John 13:36-38.   (John 13:36-38 NIV)  Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later." {37} Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." {38} Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!   4. The promise of Christ's return is promised, John 14:1-6.   a. These were words of comfort, John 14:1-4.   (John 14:1-4 NIV)  "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. {4} You know the way to the place where I am going."   There is an old Christian proverb whose author has long been lost to history that says:  "Christ can do wonders with a broken heart if given all the pieces."  This is what Christ is asking His disciples to do in this passage.   Disciples of Christ are urged to trust God and Jesus, His Son:   1) In the coming time of trouble, John 14:1. 2) In the promise of Christ's return, John 14:2-3. 3) In their knowledge of how to arrive at their eternal home, John 14:4   This trust in God in the time of our sorrows has been encouraged by Katherina Von Schlegel in the poem she wrote," Be Still My Soul."   Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.   Katharina von Schlegel (b. 1697)   b. These were words not immediately comprehended, John 14:5-6.   (John 14:5-6 NIV)  Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" {6} Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.   1) Thomas reveals his confusion, John 14:5. 2) Jesus clarifies His comments, John 14:6.   5. The nature of the Father/Son relationship explained, John 14:7-10   a. It means that to know and see the Son is to know and see the Father, John 14:7.   (John 14:7 NIV)  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."   b. It means that the Father is known through the Son because they exist in each other, John 14:8-10.   1) Philip exposes his lack of understanding of this difficult concept, John 14:8.   (John 14:8 NIV)  Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."   2) Jesus expresses his amazement in Philip's dullness, John 14:9-10.   (John 14:9-11 NIV)  Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? {10} Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.   6. The power of faith in Jesus' essential oneness with the Father is introduced, John 14:11-14.   (John 14:11 NIV)  Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.   a. There is an opportunity for them to do greater things if they do believe, John 14:12.   (John 14:12 NIV)  I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.   b. There is promised support for what they do in Jesus name just for the asking, John 14:13-14.   (John 14:13-14 NIV)  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. {14} You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.   7. The proof of love for Christ and its accompanying benefits is declared, John 14:15.   a. The proof of love is obedience, John 14:15.   (John 14:15 NIV)  "If you love me, you will obey what I command.   b. The accompanying benefits of loving obedience to Christ are given, John 14:15-21   1) The gift of the constant presence of the Counselor –the Spirit of truth, John 14:16a-17a.   (John 14:16-17a  NIV)  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- {17} the Spirit of truth.   2) The privilege of knowing the Spirit is kept from the world but granted to believers, John 14:17b.   (John 14:16-17b NIV)  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.   3) The promise of seeing Christ again is made, John 14:18-20.   (John 14:18-20 NIV)  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. {19} Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. {20} On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.   4) The promise of even greater knowledge of Christ is offered, John 14:21.   (John 14:21 NIV)  Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."   5) The premiums attached to loving obedience that unbelievers will not share:   (John 14:22- 24)   a) A knowledge of Christ that the unbelieving world cannot appreciate because they will not obey, John 14:22-24a.   (John 14:22-24a NIV)  Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"  {23} Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. {24} He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.   b) The abiding presence of the Father and Son in believers who obey and love Christ, John 14:23.    (John 14:23 NIV)  Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.   8. The promise of more teaching and the full memory of all that Christ had taught given, John 14:24b-26.   a. The words of Christ carried the weight of the Father's authority, John 14:24b.   (John 14:24b NIV)  These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.   b. The teaching begun by Christ will continue when the Father sends the Holy Spirit, John 14:25-26.   (John 14:25-26 NIV)  "All this I have spoken while still with you. {26} But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.   The Greek word for Counselor in this passage is παράκλητος.   It literally means one who is called along to help, intercede for, or to be an advocate for another.  Because of the many shades of meaning for this word it is best to let the text speak for itself.  The Holy Spirit, when sent, would bring the counsel of God's word (new revelation to the disciples plus the memory of that already spoken by Christ).  In so doing, the Holy Spirit would be bringing the comfort and content of God's word to the disciples to support what will become their mission to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.   9. The gift of peace is given, John 14:27-29.   a. It is the same peace that Jesus was experiencing as He approached the cross, John 14:27a.   (John 14:27a NIV)  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.   b. It is a peace that the world cannot guarantee, John 14:27b   (John 14:27b NIV)  I do not give to you as the world gives.   c. It is peace that can still their troubled hearts and conquer their fear, John 14:27c.   (John 14:27c NIV)  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.   d. It is peace that is possible because a good outcome is assured, John 14:28-29.   (John 14:28-29 NIV)  "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. {29} I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.   e. It is peace that cannot be stolen by the prince of this world, John 14:30.   (John 14:30 NIV)  I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me,   10. The necessary lesson for the world presented, John 14:31.   (John 14:31 NIV)  But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.   Conclusion   1. Our earthly existence is transient and temporary.  We were made to live in heaven and Jesus wants to take as many of us as will go with Him.  He's has even gone to prepare our homes there ( Rev 21:3-4). 2. Faith in God and what He is doing is the antidote to worry, anxiety, and panic.  Among the things we can't take with us when we die are our pain, suffering, and sorrow.  When was the last time we thanked God for tough circumstances (See 1 Th 3:2-4; 5:17-18; James 1:2-3; 1 Pet 1:6-7). 3. Jesus loves to answer the prayers of those who pray in His name with the intent of glorifying the Father.  When was the last time our prayers were for His glory rather than our comfort? 4. The Holy Spirit is our Resident Counselor ministering the truth of God in our lives.  When was the last time we asked for His counsel? 5. Jesus promises to give us peace in all our troubles and fears.  He is in control of all things.